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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2289224588 (Togo, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Barr. Tofa Maxwell" <barr_tofa706@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: guildhall.chambers_tg@hotmail.fr
Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 06:35:43 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Notification of Bequest.


Notification of Bequest.

Attention:

Congratulation! On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late Eng. A. C. GOMEZ, We act as solicitors and our services were retained by late Eng. A. C. GOMEZ , was a pioneer member of STRABAG CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD, here in after referred to as our client. We write to notify you that my late client made you a Beneficiary to the bequest sum of FIFTEEN Million one Hundred United States Dollars (US$15.100.000.00) in the codicil to his will and last testament.

He died at the age of 65. This bequest is to support your activities, humanitarian services, help to the less-privileged and research work. In accordance with our inheritance laws you are required to apply for claims to the financial house, where this fund was deposited.

We are perfecting arrangements to complete the transfer of this inheritance to you. You are required to forward the following details of yours; full names, address, occupation, age and phone numbers for verification and re-confirmation. Please acknowledge the receipt of this letter immediately. For further clarification you can always reach me on my direct phone number.

I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Upon your acceptance to this proposal, I expect your urgent response indicating your full interest in this great transaction to our both mutual trust.

Congratulations!

Yours sincerely,
Barrister Tofa Maxwell ESQ.
Guildhall Chambers
Tel: +228-922-45-88.



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam